It’s late on a week night and I found myself flipping through all the “Tonight Show’s” looking for some last minute laughs before bed. A skit came on about a child who was hyperactive and had ADHD. Watching this skit made me think, “Is this really ok?”. Why is it so socially acceptable to make fun of ADHD? I know what you’re thinking, “What’s the big deal? Lighten up!”
I get it, but the joke doesn’t stop there. People joke about ADHD at work, out in public, and even when they themselves might exhibit one characteristic of ADHD, they say “Maybe I have ADHD?” and then laugh. I’ve even heard coworkers say to other coworkers “Hey, pay attention! What do you have, ADHD?”, when someone has simply lost their train of thought.
Listen, I’m the first to admit that humor is an amazing coping mechanism. Humor is healthy. Laughing at yourself is part of healing and acceptance. But what if it’s not you that’s poking fun about the burden you carry? Shouldn’t it matter who is making the BIG FAT JOKE?
So if having ADHD is a BIG FAT JOKE, then could we all assume that Bipolar, Depression, Autism, Dyslexia are BIG FAT JOKES as well?
Here is the bottom line; there are so many people that still don’t understand ADHD and it’s effects on people, familiesand relationships. ADHD is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s ability to control their behavior and pay attention to tasks.
I guess I just don’t get the BIG FAT JOKE.
a little cream & sugar 